Successful surgery for Degenkolb, Haga, more treatment to follow

by Shane Stokes

January 25, 2016

Photography by Kristof Ramon

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The two riders most seriously hurt in Saturday’s Giant-Alpecin training crash, John Degenkolb and Chad Haga, have had successful first phases of treatment, with the team providing a further update as to their condition.

The duo plus Warren Barguil, Fredrik Ludvigsson, Ramon Sinkeldam and Max Walscheid were all injured when a car ploughed into them during a training ride. The vehicle was reported to have been driven by a British tourist and was on the wrong side of the road.

Degenkolb went close to losing a finger, with the index digit on his left hand being almost severed. He also incurred a fracture plus wounds to his leg, forearm and lip.

As for Haga, he was airlifted to hospital due to wounds to veins and arteries that were causing blood loss.

“Chad did well overnight,” stated Giant-Alpecin. “He had a successful surgery on his neck and chin wounds and is completely approachable.

“In several days to one week, he will have surgery on his orbital fracture too. Until then, and to recover following the orbital surgery, he will stay in the hospital for treatment.”

Degenkolb also remains in the hospital where he was treated, having gone under the knife twice since the crash.

“After yesterday’s successful surgery on a cut in his upper leg, John had operations on his hand and fractured forearm this morning, which were successful,” the team stated.

“He will travel to Germany in the next few days for further treatment to his arm and hand. Then he will also start his recovery process. His immediate focus will be on recovery, which will take time, but it’s difficult to make an estimation at this point.”

He won Milan – San Remo and Paris-Roubaix last season. It’s too early to know if his defence of those races is at risk.

As for the other four riders who were injured, they have been released from hospital and are on their way home.

“Warren is doing relatively well,” explained the team physician Anko Boelens. “In France he will undergo an additional examination to determine whether surgery is needed on his fractured scaphoid. His recovery will take a minimum of six weeks, after which he can restart his build-up to competition level.”

“Fredrik has multiple bruised ribs, as well as bruises and scratches all over his body. Ramon is recovering from cuts on his knee and chin, which have been stitched, and wounds and bruises all over his body.

“Max will have additional examinations in Germany on his tibia and thumb, which are fractured. He is expected to need surgery, and his recovery will also take some months.”

The team’s CEO Iwan Spekenbrink said that the accident had had ‘a huge impact’ on the team.

“The recovery of the riders is the first priority, as well as the emotional processing of the event for those who were there. It is clear that the team has been set back some months.

“It will certainly take time for the team to return to full strength, but everybody will work hard, dedicated and closely together to get there.”
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